Jack Alan Lavelle

Jack A. Lavelle, 72 of Lodi passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 8th 2022.  Jack was born in Scranton Pennsylvania to Aloysius and Hannah Lavelle. Jack was raised in  Lodi, New Jersey where he grew up surrounded by loving family and lifelong friends.

Jack served in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Germany. He was Honorably discharged in 1974. Jack joined the Bergenfield police force in May 1974, where he was later promoted to the detective bureau. Jack excelled professionally throughout his career receiving numerous training certificates, letters, and awards memorializing his outstanding service to the community. Jack excelled in all areas including welding and mechanics which he enjoyed with his son, Jack, and brothers Mickey & Al. Jack was truly captivating, his thirst for knowledge, wisdom, and genuine love and compassion for all living things shined bright. Jack was a devoted Christian with a deep-rooted faith in God. He truly was the type of person everyone loved being around, always there to lend a hand or an ear. He will be sincerely missed by his family and friends.

The only thing Jack loved more than his career was God and his family. Jack and Helen Santorawere introduced in High School. They were married in June of 1974 at St. Joseph’s Church in Lodi, New Jersey. After three children the two shared a special bond, providing unconditional support for each other.

Jack’s most cherished possessions were his children, Michelle Minassian of Wayne, Angela Pagano and her husband Daniel of Wayne, and Jack J. Lavelle and his wife Mariela of Wayne. Jack and his daughter Michelle shared a love for animals. Michelle’s fondest memory with her father was at the age of six, when Jack told Michelle he had to stop at the bank, but instead surprised her with a German Shepherd, Shamu, after the passing of their beloved German Shepherd Sheba. Jack and his daughter Angela shared a love for knowledge. Angela’s fondest memory with her father was their road-trip to Arizona, where they spent three days chatting about life, law, and politics. Angela enjoyed questioning everything in life and Jack enjoyed pondering these questions with his daughter. Jack and his son Jack Joseph shared a love for mechanics. Jack fondly remembers spending hours with his father toiling over cars, boats, etc., anything in need of repair. Jack looked to his father for advice and strength. Jack truly inspired his children; Jack is deeply loved by his children and Jack’s earthly absence will be deeply felt by his wife, mother, and his children.

In the last years of his life Jack enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren, Ava & Daniel. Jack instilled in his granddaughter Ava the importance of school and learning.  Jack’s kind, caring nature lives-on in his granddaughter Ava. Jack and his grandson Daniel share a deep love for Good & Plenty and Computers. Jack’s handsome good-looks and charming personality lives-on in his grandson, Daniel.

Jack’s pride and joys were his grand-doggies two German Shepherd’s Reina and Bruce (whom Jack was instrumental in saving from shelters), his beloved Stella who would enjoy weekends with Grandpa Jack while her pet parents were away and his sweet Angel. Jack loved being with his grand-dogs & the dogs loved being with their grand-poppy.  Jack loved the water. For years he enjoyed his Sea Ray which he kept docked on the Hudson and boating with his beloved brother-in-law Sal. Jack enjoyed taking friends and family to Island Beach State Park and seeing the fireworks from his boat on July 4th. Jack’s mother fondly remembers looking out her kitchen window and finding Jack scuba diving in their family pool, during the winter after he purchased scuba gear. Jack enjoyed the occasional poker game with his brother-in-law Mark and Sal and watching football games in the fall with his mother, Hannah. Jack’s inquisitive, charismatic nature was what made Jack.

Jack is survived by his wife Helen Lavelle (nee Santora) of Wayne, NJ, two daughters: Michelle Minassian of Wayne, NJ, and Angela Pagano and her husband Daniel of Wayne, NJ, one son Jack Lavelle and his wife Mariela of Wayne, NJ, his mother Hannah Lavelle of Lodi, NJ, three brothers; Aloysius Lavelle and his wife Jacqueline of Lodi, NJ, Gerald Lavelle and his wife Ann of Paramus, NJ, and Michael Lavelle and his wife Terri of Oakland, NJ, two sisters; Debra Iurato and her husband James of Pompton Plains, NJ, and Linda Santangelo of Mahwah, NJ, his mother-in-law Angelina Santora, two grandchildren Ava Minassian, and Daniel Pagano, his brother-in-law Salvatore Santora and his sister-in-law Mary Ann Weiseltier and her husband Mark, as well as many nieces and nephews.  Jack was predeceased by his father Aloysius Lavelle, his brother-in-law’s; James Santangelo, and Joseph Biss, his sister-in-law Mary Beth Santora, and his father-in-law Joseph Santora.

In lieu of flowers, donation in Jacks name may be made to Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc. 2 Shelter Ln, Oakland, NJ 07436 https://rbari.org/